Specimen CoatingSpecimens viewed us

Specimen Coating

Specimens viewed using a conventional scanning electron microscope need to be coated with electrically conductive material. Typically this is applied using a sputter coater. Sputter coater's are plasma chambers with low discharge capability that he radiates a target made of heavy metal with argon atoms. Typically, the target consists of 60% gold and 40% palladium. Gold is preferred because it has a theory high electron output for secondary electrons, whereas palladium is added, because it provides a more contiguous surface of metal not as good